Potato-digger



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. STRAIT. POTATO BIGGER.

No. 361,335. PatentedApr. 19, 1887.

N. PETERS. PhulvLillwgnphcn Wlihlngtnn, D C- (No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 2.

HySTRAlT.

POTATO BIGGER. .No. 331,335. Patented Apr. 19, 1337.

a. r V a, 1L 6" I H I n. PETERS, Pmm-umq n m. washin m'up.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HIRAM STRAIT, OF TROY, NEW YORK.

POTATO- D IGG ER.

- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 361,335, dated. April 19, 1887.

Application filed July 15, 1886. Serial No. 208,119. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Potato-Diggers, of which the follow- 1ng is aspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in potato-diggers of that class which employ a rotating cylinder for separating the potatoes from the loose soil, and it is especially designed for use in connection with the machine patented to me on the 13th day of October, 1885, and numbered 328,079.

My present improvements are confined to a peculiar form of a rotating separating or sifting cylinder, whereby the potatoes are conveyed to the rear and out of the path of the cylinder, while at the same time they are thoroughly separated from the loose soil.

The gist of my invention lies in arranging or disposing the teeth or blades tangentially to the axis of the cylinder, whereby they are presented at such an angle to the soil as to take up a larger quantity of potatoes and retain the same on the teeth or fingers until the latter are rotated or carried to the rear of the cylinder, and the potatoes are then discharged. By thus disposing or arranging the teeth or fingers tangentially to the axis of the cylinder I not only secure the result above named, and which is essential to the perfect operation of the machine, butI am also enabled to employ a larger cylinder, which requires less centrifugal power and makes less revolutions.

The invention further consists of the peculiar construction and combination of parts, substantially as hereinafter fully set forth, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved sifting or separating cylinder for potato-diggers. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the cylinder. Fig. 3 is a detached perspective view of the blade and teeth or fingers. Fig. 4 is a modified form of the device, showing a peculiar manner of connecting the fingers or teeth. Fig. 5 isacross-sectional view through another form of cylinder having projecting perforated ribs for the attachment of the teeth or fingers. Fig. 6 is a view showing another form of cutting-bladeand the fingers or teeth arranged parallel with the axis of the cylinder and in a plane tangential thereto. Fig. 7 is a view showing the fingers and blade secured to the cylinder-head in such a manner that they can be adjusted to change the angle at which they lie to the cylinder. Figs. 8 and 9 are views of modified forms of my invention. Figs. 10, 11, 12, and 13 are diagram views of the arrangements of the teeth, which are shown in out-line tangentially to the cylinder. Fig. 14 is a detached side elevation of the cylinder shown in Fig. 5.

In the diagram view shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, A designates the cylinder, which is square in cross-section, as shown, and supported on an axle, B, that is also square. 1 designates a tooth or finger, which is secured flat upon and parallel with one of the faces of the cylinder, and extending outwardly therefrom and tangentially to the axis of the cylinder, as will be readily perceived. A series of these teeth or fingers 1 is provided for each of the faces of the cylinder, and they are spaced equidistant thereon and tangentially to the axis thereof, the cylinder being rotated in the direction shown by the arrow.

Fig. 11 of the drawings shows the teeth 1 set at a greater angle to the square faces of the cylinder A, and having their outer extremities terminated or lying in the planes of lines as, drawn in straight lines from the axis of the cylinder, so that they will be presented at a greater angle to surface of the ground; and Fig. 12 shows the teeth or fingers inclined at a still greater angle to the axis and square face of cylinder, so that they lie transversely across the adjacent faces of the cylinder and terminate at their outer extremitis in the plane of the opposite faces of the cylinder, as indicated by the dotted line y.

Fig. 13 shows the teeth or fingers 1 set or arranged tangentially to the axis of a circumferential cylinder in planes at right angles to each other and corresponding to the arrangement shown in Fig. 10; but the teeth or fingers may be disposed at the angles shown in Figs. 11 and 12, or at any point intermediate between the said points.

In the practical Embodiment of my invention I provide the ends of the cylinder A with heads 0, that are circular, of any preferred size, and which extend for a considerable distance beyond the periphery of the cylinder.

D designates the cutting-blades, which are arranged equidistant around and at the periphery of the cylinder heads or disks, and which are suitably secured thereto, in the manner hereinafter set forth. These cuttingblades are tapered transversely to form asharp outer edge, at, that will readily and easily penetrate the soil, and these cutting-edges of the blades are curved longitudinally, the middle of the curved edge being extended or projected beyond the peripheries of the cylinder heads or disks, to penetrate the soil deeper and take up a larger quantity of potatoes than at the ends which lie in plane of or flush with the peripheries of the cylinder heads or disks. Each of the blades is provided with an integral rib or flange, D, that projects laterally from one side thereof and has a series of openings, d, that are equidistant from each other.

E designates a series of bars or plates, which are secured directly to or arranged in close proximity with the cylinder A, and these bars or plates are also provided with a series of openings, 0, the number of bars and the number of openings therein corresponding to the number of blades D and the openings in the ribs D thereof.

F designates the fingers or teeth, which are preferablyjight metal rods or wires, that are secured in the cutter-blades D and the bars or plates E, the fingers or teeth being arranged parallel with each other and tangentially to the axis of the cylinder at either of the angles shown in Figs. 10, 11, or 12, or any point intermediate between the same.

In the device shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings the fingers F are made staplelike in formthat is to say, they comprise two parallel arms and a cross-bar or arm connecting the parallel arms. The ends of the staple-like arms are threaded to receive fastening or binding nuts and when the cylinder is constructed the free ends of the parallel arms are first passed through proper openings in the rib of the cutter-blade and the perforated bar or plate E, so that the cross-bar bears against the outer face of the rib D, after which the nuts 9 are screwed home to bear against the cross-bar or plate, and the extremities of staple fingers or teeth are bent laterally, as at g, to prevent the nuts from working loose. The plates or bars E are secured in place by holding-plates G, which are bolted to the cylinder A, and bear against the edges of two adjacent plates or bars, the cylinder A being square or box shape in form, and the cutter-blade D, having integral flanges l1, arranged at right angles thereto and bearing against the inner faces of the cylinder heads or disks, to which they are secured by through-bolts h, to detachably hold them in place.

In lieu of employing a series of staple-like fingers they may be formed from a single piece of wire or metal rod of suitable diameter, as

shown in Fig. 4, which is passed through aligned openings of the cutter-blade and bar or rod, so that the fingers are arranged parallel with each other, and the ends of the wire are passed through loops formed by the bent ends of the fingers and suitably twisted together or around the bar or rod E.

The cylinder A may be circular in crosssection, as shown in Fig. 5, and east in one piece with integral radial ribs or flanges I, which project beyond the plane of the periphcry of the cylinder, and have a series of openings, z, therein, and through these openings in the rib are passed the fingers or teeth, these ribs taking the place of the removable bars or rods E and the holding-plates G. The cylinder-heads or disks 0 are suitably secured to the cylinder A, and segmental plates 1 are suitably secured to the heads and bear against the periphery of the cylinder and the ribs I,

to brace the latter and the cylinder and heads; or the plates may be formed integral with the cylinder or its heads. The blades D of this cylinder shown in this figure are of the form heretofore described, and the wire or red fingers F are secured to the blades and ribs in the manner shown in Fig. 4., or any other preferred manner, slight changes in the manner of connecting or securing the free ends of the wire being permitted without departing from the principle of my invention. The blades may have the lateral flanges for securing them to the cylinder-heads, so that they can be adjusted to either of the positions shown by dotted lines at 2 and 3; or the flanges may be omitted and the ends of the blade secured rigidly in sockets j, formed in the peripheries of the cylinder-heads.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings I have shown the cutter-blade provided with a serrated or roughened edge, so that it will not become easily dulled and injure the potatoes to such an extent or degree that the smooth or keen edged blade will, and the blade is also provided with the flanges, so that it can be readily adjusted. The fingers F are arranged parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and with each other, and secured properly to the cylinderheads in a plane tangential to the axis of said cylinder. The fingers are made or formed in one piece oifwire or rod,which is passed through proper openings in the heads of the cylinder, which is further provided with a series of rows of apertures, indicated by the numerals 4 and 5, for the wires or fingers, so that they can be arranged in various planes that lie at different tangential angles.

In Fig. 7 of the drawings the bars or rods E are provided with trunnions e, which are journaled in proper bearings or sockets, e, in the cylinder-heads, or in the cylinder itself, and the cutter-blade is provided with the lateral flanges, so that it can be adjusted at any desired angle on the cylinder, to vary the inclination ot' the fingers or teeth F, which are suitably secured to the blade and bar. The fingers are preferably formed from a single wire or rod, and when the blade is adjusted the bar E turns in its bearings to permit of the movement of the fingers without bending them at the points where they connect with the bar E, which is liable to take place when the fingers are secured to a bar or rod that is mmovably held in place,and the cutter-blade 1s adjusted. In lieu of forming the bearings for the bar or rod in the cylinder-heads, the bar may be pivotally hinged or otherwise flexibly connected direct-1y with the cylinder itself, as atK in Fig. 8, so that the cutter-blade can be adjusted without bending the fingers.

In Fig. 9 the cutter-blade and the cross bar or rod E are connected at their ends by a bar or arm, J, that is cast or formed integral with the blade and rod or suitably secured thereto, and the fingersF are secured to the blade and bar, the latter being journaled in the cylinderheads to permit of the adjustment of the fingers, and the connecting arms or rods J are bolted to the cylinder-heads for a like purpose. The cylinder heads may be provided with notches, as shown, and the shaft B of the cylinder is preferably made square, to prevent the same from turning in the cylinder; or it may be of any other desired form and suitably held rigidly in the cylinder, which may either be cylindrical, square, hexagonal, or of other angular form.

In operation the cylinder is suitably supported and rotated and the blades readily penetrate the soil, so as to take up the same and the potatoes. The blades are presented at such an angle to the soil that they readily take up the maximum quantity of loose earthand potatoes, and in the revolutions of the cylinder the fingers serve as screens to separate the earth which falls through the interstices or spaces between the same, while the potatoes are carried with the fingers and discharged in rear of the cylinder. The cuttingedges of the blades penetrate or enter the soil in advance of the ribs and serve tojprotect the same, and the transversely-curved edge of the cuttingblade is longer or of greater diameter at its middle, to penetrate the earth deeper at the middle of the cylinder, so that the greater quantity of earth and potatoes are at the middle of said cylinder.

My improvements are simple, strong, and durable in construction, cheap and comparatively inexpensive of manufacture, and thoroughly effective for the purposes designed.

I do not desire to limit myself to the exact details of construction and form and proportion of parts herein shown and described as an embodiment of my invention, as I am aware that many changes therein can be made wit-hout departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages of my invention.

The cylinder of my invention is supported in the manner shown in my prior Patent No. 328,079, hereinbefore referred to, and it is positively driven'by motion from the axle of the machine byintermediate gearing, as illustrated and described in my said patent.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of the cylinder, the teeth or fingers arranged tangentially to the axis thereof, and the cutters or blades, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

2. The combinationof the cylinder and the teeth or fingers arranged tangentially to the axis thereof in straight lines, the teeth of each set being arranged parallel and in line with each other, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

3. A cylinder for potato diggers,'having the heads at its extremities, and the teeth arranged in series between the heads and tangentially to the axis of the cylinder, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination of the cylinder, the fixed heads carried thereby, the blades at the peripheries of the heads, and the teeth or fingers intermediate of the blades and cylinder and arranged tangentially to the axis of the said cylinder, substantially as described.

5. The combination of the cylinder, the fixed blades, and the teeth or fingers intermediate of the blades and the cylinder and arranged tangentially to the axis of the latterin straight lines, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination of a cylinder, a series of equidistant blades having the cutting-edges projected or extended beyond the peripheries of the cylinder, and the series of tangentiallyarranged fingers or teeth, substantially as described.

7. The combination of a cylinder, a cross bar or rod, the cutter-blade, and the fingers or teeth arranged in planes tangential to the axis of the cylinder and secured to the blade and crossbar, substantially as described.

8. The combination of a cylinder, a rod-or bar, the tangentially-arranged fingers or bars, and the blade having a lateral rib formed integral therewith, and having the teeth connected thereto, substantially as described.

9. The combination of a cylinder, the cross bar or rod, the cutter-blade secured to the cylinder-heads at the periphery thereof, the fingers or teeth having the threaded ends, and the nuts secured on the threaded ends of the fingers, substantially as described.

10. A cylinder for potatodig'gers, having the fixed heads, and the teeth or fingers arranged tangentially to the axis of the cylinderbetween the heads thereof, the said teeth being adj ustably connected to the heads, whereby the inclination thereof with respect to the cy-linder can be varied, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

11. The combination of a cylinder, an ad j ustable cutter-blade secured to the cylinderheads at the periphery thereof, a bar or rod, and fingers or teeth intermediate of the bar and blade, substantially as described.

12. The combination of a cylinder, an ad justable cutter-blade, a pivoted rod or bar, and equidistant, and the fingers 0r teeth seand fingers 0r teeth intermediate of the blade cured t0 the ribs and blades and arranged and bar substantially as described. tangentially t0 the axis of the cylinder, sub- 15 13. A cylinder for potato-diggers, having stantially as described. 5 the tangentially-arranged fingers or teeth, and In testimony that I claim' the foregoing as a cutter-blade provided with a longitudinallymy own I have hereto affixed my signature in curved and serrated cuttingedge, substanpresence of two Witnesses. tially as described. r1 14. The combination of a cylinder having HIRAM SPRAH' to the heads, and the integral ribs extended be- Witnesses:

yond the periphery thereof, the cutter-blades WM. H. LEWIS, secured to the cylinder-heads at the periphery J. E. C. SAWYER. 

